Information is good.
It clears up misunderstandings, calms fears, and promotes harmony.
I put together a pdf, a one-page handout for urban and suburban chickeners to give to their neighbors along with that goodwill basket of eggs/goodies:
It gives an overview of the reasons we love our birds and answers some of the typical questions neighbors can have about living in proximity to chickens.
We don’t necessarily think we need to canvas the neighborhood handing these out willy-nilly, possibly stirring a pot which was bubbling along just fine. But when someone has expressed curiosity this is something to give them.
Print it out and tuck it into a hospitality offering of fresh laid eggs, perhaps some garden bounty, or a home-baked treat.
It might not work miracles, but it could make a convert or two.
If you use this handout, we’d love to hear how it went!
Such great timing!! I am part of a small group of home owners trying to change the occ&rs in our HOA to include chickens. We are writing up a set of rules for ourselves and hope to put the issue on the ballot in May. Wish us luck! Your blog has been a very valuable tool in our research. Many, many thanks!
Good idea! I wish some of my neighbors had chickens and offered me eggs and a tour! What font did you use for the handout, by the way?
You guys are so great at coming up with all these printables! One of my piano students has chickens, and is willing to trade eggs for lessons when the girls start laying again…so my husband is off the hook for a few years to build me a chicken coop in the backyard 🙂 (I’ve been sending LOADS of people to your Spring Garden Planner, btw. Love the printables you share, thank you so much!!!)
Rebecca–Thank you! I couldn’t resist–I used “cochin” font.
Eggcelent pdf page to give out !
A very good idea. Back when I had all kinds of chickens we didn’t need to seek approval from neighbors. Everyone had them. We should all be getting back to basics of living and become self sufficient as we once were as country folk. I applaud you all for your efforts and successes in your good works. Best Wishes.
My flock of hens will start as early as 6am some mornings, so I guess “late morning” is relative…. Otherwise, great handout. I agree with everything there!
I am soooo lucky to live in my own space……………
If my far away “neighbors” did hear something non-chicken-y….well then………..
’nuff said 🙂
I LOVE THE COUNTRY!
how are the goats?
Under the bird flu section “Bird flu HAD never been found…” leads me to believe that it now has. Should it say “Bird flu HAS never been found…”?
Just wonderin’. I love the handout!
n.
nancy–Thanks for pointing that out. I must have read right over that a hundred times. Think I’ve got it fixed now!
Love this, although I wish you had a hand out for people who do have roosters with info on why they are good to have. (To protect the hens and keep guard.) I’m going to take this to church with me to share! Thanks!
QH
Would love to have a handout for my Nigerian Dwarf goats. I cant do it myself because Im to mad at my neighbors for being mean and calling code inforcement. I did my reserch prior to getting them ofcourse and knew I could but now have to move my fencing (all 50 feet) over abought 10 feet farther. What good is that realy going to do for the nosie neighbors? None! But I want them to see the good side of my goats and Chickens:-(
Shawna–Funny you should mention it–we have such a handout but haven’t put it on the site yet. Will try to email you a copy as soon as I can find it. So sorry you’re having neighbor problems. Moving the fence sounds like quite a project. Hope things work out for the better!
Thanks, and that would be so helpfull! The only thing Im worried about is if a couple of them were to get together and sign some kind of petition, even though I am zoned for it. Funny thing is, my closest neighbors just love all of my animals (including goat’s and chick’s) and want to see and feed them, eat my egg’s, and so on. Only neighbor who there is ant issue with is one beside me and thats just because he stole a vehicle and I turned him in(pretty sure all this is payback from him). Anny suggestions and what recourse any of them could have if they wanted them gone bad enough??? I want to be prepaired fo battle! Bwahaha!
Shawna–Sent you an email–let me know if it didn’t get to you. If they are legal where you are, it seems the law is on your side. You can contact us at littlehousemail@gmail.com.
I receive your newsletter and I want to tell you that we just found out that we can have a few chickens in our backyard! Next year we plan to fence in our backyard and make an A frame house for them or something like that! We are excited!!!
Theresa–I’m so glad for you! I hope all communities will soon learn that there’s nothing to fear from a few chickens.
I am currently stuck in a one room studio on the 3rd floor in the middle of a big city right now but I ab currently hoarding all the information I can find on backyard farming and homesteading. I am hoping that within the nest year my family and I can find a piece of dirt to call our own where I can breathe again. I stumbled across your site at 2:15am and subscribed right away. I think I have already fallen in love! Thanks for all the great information that I can hopefully use in the very near future. I look forward to seeing what you ladies may come up with next!
Nice FAQ! I am hoping to get chickens when I move out on my own, but living in a dorm isn’t exactly condusive to it at the moment. You do have a typo, however- “It it even legal”. Cheers!
Sciroccopteryx–Ooops! Thanks.
Wow, this is cool and bound to be helpful. Thank you!